It's been ages since I've updated this space. At some point during the year life began moving kinda fast and the changes in our lives became so many that it was overwhelming to attempt writing it all down. But now the wheels on this crazy bus are turning and I've had so many questions from so many different people about what we've been up to.
"Is John getting a new job?"
"Where is your new house?"
"Is everything okay? Are you guys getting a DIVORCE?!" (What?!!!!!!)
I guess it makes sense to be on the receiving end of a lot of curiosity, since really this was sort of out-of-the-blue. So, yes, we are selling our house. We haven't bought a new one, and we aren't moving because of a job change. And HEAVENS no, again, we aren't splitting up! We're simply selling our dear, sweet home that we loved so much. Our first house.
This was the very first house John and I looked at when we started our house hunt four and a half years ago. It was winter in early 2014, I was pregnant with Judah, and I remember walking through the front door and getting that feeling. I knew where the future Christmas tree would stand, where to put the nursery, where our new son would learn to crawl and take his first steps.
And just like we knew this was "the one" we also knew it wouldn't be our only one. This was the first house, but not the last.
This past spring John and I began the conversation about when to move on, and decided that maybe in a year-ish we would think about selling. The boys were getting bigger, approaching school-age, needing more freedom to run around. Our timeline seemed reasonable. But then, after watching the housing market swing in favor of sellers, we realized if we were already thinking about it then the time to sell was now. It took just a few conversations with our parents (who we always turn to for wisdom and guidance) to help us settle on the decision.
The house went on the market on a Thursday. Open house was that Saturday. Three offers, all above asking price, by Monday. We accepted an offer and we closed YESTERDAY. It's done! We're homeless!
You guys, it hasn't been easy. But then again, by the grace of God, it hasn't been that difficult either! On one hand, we didn't have to wait long for the right buyer. On the other hand, THE EMOTIONS. In one moment, I couldn't wait for it all to be over- the negotiations, the packing, the cleaning but in the very next moment I'd be sniffling over the slightest memory of the house that we'd soon leave behind.
The boys were cranky and clingy- they knew change was ahead. I was cranky too- my house was in disarray. Our family rhythm was off; we were too busy buttoning up details and moving into our new digs (which, by the way, is with my generous in-laws for the time being). And we were so tired. Emotionally and physically. I've periodically asked John and myself, "Are we doing the right thing?"
BUT I KNOW WE ARE. Those moments are fleeting. And here is why:
1. Future goals.
Every time John and I discuss our future, what we want, how we want our family to be as our boys mature, our plans don't include living in our first home. In fact, it could easily transform from a blessing into a dead-weight that hinders us from moving towards what we want.
2. Financial freedom.
John and I have worked hard to stay out of debt- no credit cards, no car payments, that sort of thing. BUT, HELLO STUDENT LOANS. Last year, we got SUPER serious about our remaining debt while cash-flowing the hospital bills after the birth of our second son, Abram (which, by the way, is not easy on a single income). We had so much success in 2017 that we were convinced we could make our final student loan payment by the end of 2018. Selling the house sped this process up about 6 months. WE'RE COMPLETELY DEBT FREE!
(I'm thinking about writing a post on some of the crazy (and some common sense) things we did to jump start our debt-free journey, so let me know if you'd like to read something like that!)
3. Endless possibilities.
Think about a life without being tied down to bills and a house and all the responsibilities that come with it. What would you do? What COULD you do? You could do ANYTHING YOU WANT. The possibilities are (almost) limitless. We're having so much fun just dreaming, praying, and thinking about what we want and figuring out how to make it happen.
Being in this place, right here, is kind of surreal. We don't really know what to do yet. But it's exciting, and my hope is to share our adventure as it unfolds . . . so stick with us, keep reading, and we'll all see what happens :)
"Is John getting a new job?"
"Where is your new house?"
"Is everything okay? Are you guys getting a DIVORCE?!" (What?!!!!!!)
I guess it makes sense to be on the receiving end of a lot of curiosity, since really this was sort of out-of-the-blue. So, yes, we are selling our house. We haven't bought a new one, and we aren't moving because of a job change. And HEAVENS no, again, we aren't splitting up! We're simply selling our dear, sweet home that we loved so much. Our first house.
This was the very first house John and I looked at when we started our house hunt four and a half years ago. It was winter in early 2014, I was pregnant with Judah, and I remember walking through the front door and getting that feeling. I knew where the future Christmas tree would stand, where to put the nursery, where our new son would learn to crawl and take his first steps.
And just like we knew this was "the one" we also knew it wouldn't be our only one. This was the first house, but not the last.
This past spring John and I began the conversation about when to move on, and decided that maybe in a year-ish we would think about selling. The boys were getting bigger, approaching school-age, needing more freedom to run around. Our timeline seemed reasonable. But then, after watching the housing market swing in favor of sellers, we realized if we were already thinking about it then the time to sell was now. It took just a few conversations with our parents (who we always turn to for wisdom and guidance) to help us settle on the decision.
The house went on the market on a Thursday. Open house was that Saturday. Three offers, all above asking price, by Monday. We accepted an offer and we closed YESTERDAY. It's done! We're homeless!
You guys, it hasn't been easy. But then again, by the grace of God, it hasn't been that difficult either! On one hand, we didn't have to wait long for the right buyer. On the other hand, THE EMOTIONS. In one moment, I couldn't wait for it all to be over- the negotiations, the packing, the cleaning but in the very next moment I'd be sniffling over the slightest memory of the house that we'd soon leave behind.
The boys were cranky and clingy- they knew change was ahead. I was cranky too- my house was in disarray. Our family rhythm was off; we were too busy buttoning up details and moving into our new digs (which, by the way, is with my generous in-laws for the time being). And we were so tired. Emotionally and physically. I've periodically asked John and myself, "Are we doing the right thing?"
BUT I KNOW WE ARE. Those moments are fleeting. And here is why:
1. Future goals.
Every time John and I discuss our future, what we want, how we want our family to be as our boys mature, our plans don't include living in our first home. In fact, it could easily transform from a blessing into a dead-weight that hinders us from moving towards what we want.
2. Financial freedom.
John and I have worked hard to stay out of debt- no credit cards, no car payments, that sort of thing. BUT, HELLO STUDENT LOANS. Last year, we got SUPER serious about our remaining debt while cash-flowing the hospital bills after the birth of our second son, Abram (which, by the way, is not easy on a single income). We had so much success in 2017 that we were convinced we could make our final student loan payment by the end of 2018. Selling the house sped this process up about 6 months. WE'RE COMPLETELY DEBT FREE!
(I'm thinking about writing a post on some of the crazy (and some common sense) things we did to jump start our debt-free journey, so let me know if you'd like to read something like that!)
3. Endless possibilities.
Think about a life without being tied down to bills and a house and all the responsibilities that come with it. What would you do? What COULD you do? You could do ANYTHING YOU WANT. The possibilities are (almost) limitless. We're having so much fun just dreaming, praying, and thinking about what we want and figuring out how to make it happen.
Being in this place, right here, is kind of surreal. We don't really know what to do yet. But it's exciting, and my hope is to share our adventure as it unfolds . . . so stick with us, keep reading, and we'll all see what happens :)
Comments
Post a Comment